Railway switch



may H. c. JONES RAILWAY SWITCH /5 l 79' 'f5 INVENTOR 'Heey cy JONES,

BY 25W/Mm MQW ATTORNEYS y am Filed Nov. l5, 1949 H. NES

' RALWAY SWITCH 2 Sheetswsheet 2 INVENTOR" www ATTORNEYS! Patented May 8, V1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.Y

2,551,951 RAILWAY SWITCH Harry C. Jones, Magnolia, Ark. Application November 15, 1949, Serial No. 127,344

4 Claims.

This invention relates to railway switches, and more particularly to an anti-clogging switch which will operate satisfactorily under adverse conditions, as when covered by snow or ice.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved r-ailway switch which will not be rendered inoperative by the accumulation of material, such as snow, ice, sand or mud, between its movable parts, but will remain freely operative at all times, which will safely support and guide trains passing thereover and can be easily secured to the conventional ties in association with conventional rails, and which is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, and can be efficiently operatedl by existing switch stands.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is -a top plan view of a railway switch assembly, illustrative of the invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse cross-section on the line Z-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse cross-section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a pair of support plates constituting operative components of the switch;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a pair of slide plates constituting operative components of the switch; and

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the assembled switch with the movable parts in a different operative position from that illustrated in Figure l.

With continued reference to the drawings, there is illustrated in Figures 1 and 7 a railway switch environment including a right-hand main-line rail provided in two longitudinallyaligned sections I0 and II, the adjacent ends of which are spaced apart to receive switch mechanism therebetween, a left-hand rail including the two sections I2 and I3, the ends of which are spaced apart in a manner similar to the ends of the sections Ill and II, the section I3 being bent outwardly near its ends to align with the lefthand rail of a side track. A right-hand sidetrack rail I4 is disposed adjacent and at an angle to the right-hand main-rail section II) and terminates at a location along the r-ail section I0 spaced from the end thereof, and a side track left-hand rail I4 is disposed at'the outer side of the left-hand main-rail Section I2 and terminates at a distance spaced from the end of the lefthand main rail I3 substantially equal to the distance between the ends of the right-hand mainrail sections I and II. These rail sections are mounted upon transversely-extending ties I5, gauge plates IB being interposed between the rails and the ties to hold the rails against spreading and having apertures therein receiving the spikes I'I by means of which the rails are secured to the ties in the usual manner.

A support plate I8 is mounted on the ties I5, and gauge plates I6, and has a wide portion disposed between the adjacent ends of the righthand main-rail sections II! and I I, and a narrow portion extending from the wide portion to the end oi' the right-hand side-track rail section I4. A similar support plate I9 is mounted on the rails and gauge plates, and has a wide portion disposed between the end of the left-hand main-track rail section I3 and the end of the left-hand sidetrack rail section I4 and a narrow portion vextending from the-wide portion to the end of the left-hand main-track rail section I2. Each of the support plates is provided with downwardlyextending flanges provided respectively along its longitudinal edges and with outwardly directed foot portions at the bottom or outer edges of these anges with which the heads of the spikes I'I are engaged to secure the support plates firmly onto the ties and gauge plates of the track. Each of the support plates has, between its flanges, a flat top wall having a flat and substantially smooth upper surface which top wall is provided with two or more transversely extending grooves, as indicated at 2B and 2| in Figure 4, having undercut sides to give to the grooves a dovetail cross-sectional shape.

As particularly illustrated in Figure 5, the support plate I8 has a wide portion 22 provided with the transversely extending dovetailed groot/cs2!)` and 2|, a narrow portion 23, the inner side of which is in alignment with the inner side of the wide portion 22, and the distal end of which is providedwith a bifurcated projection 24 to receive the web portion of the associated track rail section. This support plate is also provided with a short extension 25 at the end of the wide portion 22 opposite the narrow portion 23 which portion 25 is somewhat wider than the portion 23, but less wide than the portion 22, and also has its inner side or edge in alignment with the inner side of the portion 22, so that the support plate has a straight inner side or edge throughout its entire length. The portions 23 and 25 are elevated above the top surface of the portion 22 an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the slide plates illustrated in Figure 6, and later to be described in detail. A bifurcated lug formation 26 is provided on the wide portion 22 at the end thereof from which the portion 23 extends, which lug formation is spaced from the extending portion 23 and positioned to engage the web of the main track rail section IE). The bifurcated formation 24 is elongated to receive a pin or rivet 53 by means of which an associated switch point is pivotally connected to this support plate, as will presently appear, and an arcuate groove 21 between the transverse grooves, 20 and 2|.

The support plate I9 is similar in all respects to the plate I8, except that; the plate I9 is lefthand, whereas the plate I8 is right-hand. This plate has a wide portion 28 provided with spaced apart, transversely extending dovetailed grooves, as indicated at and 2l., an arcuate groove 2'! between the dovetailed grooves, and has an elongated narrow portion 29 extending from one end, and a short narrow portion extending from the oppositev end thereof. The portions 29 and 30 are elevated abovethe upper surface ofY the portion 20 by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the associated slide plate, and the portions 28, 2.9v and 30 are allv aligned along their inner or right-hand edges to provide a straight inner edge or slide for the support plate. A bifurcated formation 3 I; is provided on the outer or distal end ofthe portion 29 to receive the web of the main track rail section |12, and is elongated to receive a pin or rivet 56- for pivotally connec-ting the associated switch point to the support plate. A bifurcated lug formation 33. is provided on the portion 28- at the end thereof adjacent the portion 29 and spaced from the portion 29 to receive the weby of the side track rail section I4.

A slide plate 34 is slidably mountedon the upper surface of the wide portion 22 of the support platev I8, and a similar slide plate 35- is slidably mounted on the upper surface of the wideportion 28; of the support plate I9;

As is particularly illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, the slide plate 34 is provided, on its under side, with two spaced apart transversely extending battens 36 and 3.1 having undercut edges and slidablyl fitting.; the grooves 2|] and 2I in the support plate I8. The slideplate 34. is a at plate having a shape, in plan, substantially the same as, the shape of the wide portion 22 of the support plate I8,` and a rail head formation is secured onto the upper surface of the plate 34 and extends long itudinally of this plate adjacent the outer or righthand edge thereof. The rail, head formation 38 has, a length substantially equal toA the. distance betweenA the adjacent ends of the main rail sections. I0 and II, and is inY alignment with these main rail sections when the switch. is in theposition illustrated in Figure '1, in which the main track is open..

The slide plate 34 isprovided, near its. center, with` an. elongated, keyhole shaped. aperture 39, and is provided on its inner edge withI two spaced apart apertured lugs 40 and 4I, and two connecting links or bars 42and, 43 are each pivotally connected at one, end to a respective lug 40 or 4I, and at their opposite ends are pivotally connected respectively to apertured lugs 44 and 45 provided on the inner edge of the left-hand slide plate 35.

A rail headformation 45 extends longitudinally of the slide plate 35 on theupper surface and adjacent the outeror left-handl edgethereof. This formation 46 has a length substantially equall to the distance between the adjacent ends of the left-hand main rail section I3 and the left-hand side track rail section I4, and is in alignment with the rail sections I3 and I4 when the switch is in the operative position illustrated in Figure 1, with the side track open and the main line closed. An apertured lug 41 projects from the outer edge of the plate 35 for connection to the bar 48 of a switch operating stand, not illustrated. The plate 35 is provided, near its center, with an elongated, keyhole shaped aperture 49 to receive a pin or rivet for attaching the corresponding switch point thereto, and this plate is provided on its under surface with spaced apart battens 50 and 5I having undercut edges and slidably receivable in the transverse grooves 2l} and 2I in the support plate I9.

The groove and batten connections between the slide plates and the support plates permit the slidel plates to slide freely laterally of the wide portions of the support plates, but prevent the Slide plates from being lifted or knocked oi of the support plates and separated therefrom.

An elongated switch point 52 is pivot-ally connected at one end to the narrow portion 23 of the support plate I3 at the distal end of the portion 23 by the pin or rivet 53 and overlies the entire length of the upper surface of the support plate I8 and extends longitudinally across the slide plate 34. A pin or rivet 54 extends` through an aperture in thel switch point and through the aperture 39 in the plate 34 to pi-votally connect the switch point intermediate its length to the plate 34 intermediate the length of the latter, the head of this rivet being movable in the groove 2'I in the support plate I8. This switch point 52 has atapered projection at its end opposite that receiving the pivot pin 53, and this projection isY brought into Contact with the inner side of the right-hand main line rail section I-.I when the switch is in the operative position illustrated in Figure 1, inA which the side track is open, and the main line closed.

An elongated switch point 55 is pivotally connected, at one end, to the narrow portion 29 of the support plate I9 at the distal end of the portion I9 by the pin or nivet 55 extending through. an aperture in the switch point, and into the bifurcated portion 3| of the support, plate I8. This switch point 55 extends across substantially the entire length of the support plate I9, and longitudinally across the slide plate 3.5AY A p-n o1' rivet 51 extends through an aperture-in the mova-bleswitch point 55 andthrough the aperture 49 in the slide plate 35 to pivotally connect theswitch point 55,., intermediate its length, the head of this rivet being movable in the groove 2.7 in the support plate I9, to the slide plate 35 intermediate the length of the latter.

The switch point 55 has a tapered projection at its end opposite the end pivotally connected to the extension 29 of the support plate I9, and thisy tapered projection is brought into contact with the inner side of the main line rail section 3.3y when the switch is in position to open the main line and close the side track, as illustrated in FigureI 'Z'.

It will be noted that whenY the switch points are moved relative to the rail sections of the track the distance between these switch points and the adjacent rail head formations 33. and 46 is not decreased. Therefore, material such as snow, ice or sand will not be packed between thev switch points and the adjacent rail formations, as occurs with conventional railway switch connections, and the switch of the present invention will not clog so that it does not fully close when operating under such adverse conditions. By swinging the pivotally .mountedswitch points 52 and 55, the operation of the switch is substantially the same as the operation of conventional switches and the switch is or" ample length to smoothly guide a train onto the side or spur track or to maintain iJr alcng the main line track, depending upon the setting of the switch. As the switch points and rail head formation are rmly supported on the wide flat support plates, the switch has ample strength and will safely support a train in either operative position of the switch.

In order to preclude bending the switch points incident to their being forced against the adjacent rail sections by train wheel pressure, a pair of suitable stops 58 and 59. is provided on the support plate I8 engaging the outer side of the switch point 52 when this switch point is, in position against the rail section ll, and .a pair of similar stops Se and 6l is provided on the support plate I9 and bear against the outer side of the switch point 55 when this Switchpoint is in engagement with the rail section I3.

The invention may be embodied in other specic forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A railway switch assembly comprising a pair.

of elongated support plates mounted in spaced apart relationship at respectively opposite sides of a railway main track at the junction of a side track with the main track, two slide plates slidably mounted one on each of said support plates, means interconnecting said slide plates for simultaneous movement laterally of said support plates, two railhead sections secured one on each of said slide plates for movement between a position in which one is in alignment with the ends of two spaced apart main track rails and the other is laterally displaced from alignment with adjacent ends of a main track rail and a side track rail and a position in which said one rail head section is laterally displaced from alignment with the associated main track rails `and said other rail head section is brought into alignment with the ends of the associated main track and side track rails, two elongated switch points mounted one on each of said support plates, said switch points being pivotally connected each at one end to the corresponding support plate at a location sp-aced from the associated slide plate and overlying the associated slide plate `and being alternatively engageable with the inner sides of the two spaced apart main track rails upon lateral movement of said slide plates relative to said support plates, means pivotally connecting each switch point to the corresponding slide plate, and means projecting from at least one of said slide plates for connection to a switch stand.

2. A railway switch assembly comprising two spaced apart elongated support plates each mountable on track ties between two adjacent ends of a corresponding main track rail and between one end of such main track rail and an adjacent end of a corresponding side trackrail,

two slide plates supported one on each support plate intermediate the length of the latter, a rst railhead formation on one of said slide plates movable into and out of alignment with the ends of the associated main track rail, a second railhead formation on the other of said slide plates movable into and out of alignment with the ends of an associated main track rail and an associated side track rail, two elongated switch points mounted one on each of said support plates, each of said switch points being pivotally connected at one end to the corresponding support plate at a location spaced from the associated slide plate, means pivotally connecting each switch point intermediate its length to the associated slide plate intermediate the length of the latter for alternative movement of said switch points toward and away from the corresponding main track rails at respectively opposite sides of the main track, and means interconnecting said slide plates for simultaneous and coextensive movements thereof laterally of said support plates.

3. A railway switch assembly comprising two spaced apart elongated support plates each mountable on track ties between two adjacent ends of a corresponding main track rail and between one end of such main track rail and the adjacent end of a corresponding side track rail, two slide plates supported one on each support plate intermediate the length of the latter, a first railhead formation on one of said slide plates movable into and out of alignment with the ends of the associated main track rail, ,a second railhead formation on the other of said slide plates movable into and out of alignment with the ends of an associated main track rail and an associated side track rail, two elongated switch points mounted one on each of said support plates, each of said switch points being pivot-ally connected i at one end to the corresponding support plate at a location spaced from the associated slide plate, means pivotally connecting each switch point intermediate its length to the associated slide plate intermediate the length of the latter for alternative movement of said switch points toward and away from the main track rails at respectively opposite sides of the main track, means interconnecting said slide plates for simultaneous and coextensive movements thereof laterally of said support plates, and means interconnected between said support plates and the slide plates mounted thereon maintaining said slide plates against separation from said support plates While retaining freedom of relative sliding movement therebetween. A

4. A railway switch assembly comprising two spaced apart elongated support plates each mountable on track ties between two adjacent ends of Aa corresponding main track rail and between one end of such main track rail and an adjacent end of a corresponding side track rail, two slide plates supported one on each support plate intermediate the length of the latter, ,a first railhead formation on one of said slide plates movable into and out of alignment with the ends of the associated main track rail, a second railhead Yformation on the other of said slide plates movable into and out of alignment with the ends of the associated main track rail and the associated side track rail, two elongated switch points mounted one on each of said support plates, each of said switch points being pivotally connected at one end to the ,associated support plate at a location spaced from the associated slide plate, means pivotally connecting each switch point intermediate itsvlength, tothe assooiatedslide plate intermediate. the lengthA of thelatter for alternative movement of said switch points toward and away from the main track rails at respectively opposite sidesvof the main track, and means interconnecting said slide plates for simultaneous and coextensive movements thereof laterally of said support plates, each of said support plates having a lWide intermediate portion receiving the associated slidevplate and narrow end portions elevated above saidi intermediate portion a distance 10 Number substantially equal to the thickness of the slide plate;

HARRY C. JONES.

Name Date 495,011 Braley Apr. 11, 1893 

